News

Hutchie Vale top SWPL

Monday, 25 March 2013

Hutchison Vale proudly sit top of the Scottish Women’s Premier League table after coming from behind to defeat Falkirk at Recreation Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Bairns took what appeared to be a commanding lead thanks to goals from Susanne MacLellan and Jennifer Godfrey before the visitors’ spirited fight-back.

Katherine Smart pulled a goal back just before the half time interval and in the second period Hutchie completed a remarkable turnaround thanks to double from Jennifer Rogers and another effort from Smart.

Whilst no one from the club will be getting carried away with their lofty position it’s a timely confidence boost for a team on the rise.

Coach Ian McDoanld commented afterwards: “We made it hard for ourselves by starting sluggishly and I’m not sure the reason for it, but it was certainly the worst 45 minutes since we came back for the start of pre-season.

“We scored at the right time – just before the interval – and that kick-started us into action. After the break we were like a completely different side; we dominated completely and with a bit more quality in the final third, we could’ve scored a few more goals.”

Elsewhere, it was a game of two halves in the Capital as Glasgow City turned around a half time deficit to their advantage against a resolute Spartans side.

Spartans, who had earlier had an effort from Di Barry ruled out for offside, took the lead thanks to perfectly executed strike on the angle from Kirsty McLaughlin before the champions hit back after the break.

Within minutes of the restart the game had been turned on its head thanks to a couple of milestone strikes from the visitors.

First, Lisa Robertson turned in a Ruesha Littlejohn cross to score her first goal for her new club before Littlejohn put her team into the lead with her 100th goal for City.

That’s how it remained until stoppage time when Suzanne Malone found the net to complete the scoring a secure three precious points for City.

City Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black commented: “I don’t know if it was anything to do with a one o’clock kick-off, but we seemed very laboured in the first half and we were very low key.

“I said to the team at half time that I was delighted Spartans scored as it shows them there are consequences for missing lots of chances, which we did in the opening half.

“However, our increased tempo in the second half and the level of performance was miles ahead of our first 45 minutes, and to be honest, we won the match in the first 15 minutes of the second period.

We saw the game out comfortably and I said to the players at the end that at one time in the near future someone will suffer a heavy defeat to us.”

Meanwhile, Hamilton Academical twice fought back against Forfar Farmington to secure a share of the spoils at Station Park.

The home side enjoyed a lot of early pressure and finally went ahead through an Aimee Godfrey effort before Susan Laing forced in the equaliser for Accies after a goalmouth scramble.

The leveller was a sucker punch for Forfar but they quickly restored their advantage when Caroline Heron reinstated their lead.

Hamilton rallied brilliantly after the break and deservedly earned a share of the points thanks to a well taken finish from Clare Gemell.

Forfar boss Mark Nisbet lamented his team’s lack of a clinical edge, saying: “I was disappointed with the final result. I thought we were the better side in the first half and created a lot of good opportunities to score.

“I told the players at half time the next goal was always going to be important and we had a really good chance to make it 3-1.

“Unfortunately we didn’t take it and Hamilton equalised soon after, but on reflection, a point was perhaps fair.”

In the Granite City, Aberdeen edged out Buchan thanks to goals from Aimee Ridgeway and Lisa Glennie with Hannah Stewart netting a penalty for the visitors.

For the second weekend running Celtic were left kicking their heels after yet another fixture fell foul of the wintery weather conditions. The hoops clash with Kilwinning, along with Rangers encounter with Hibs, was postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.